Test driving the world's fastest SUV Bentley Bentayga

The automotive world has of late seen more takers for SUVs of all kinds Not surprisingly leading car manufacturers also began reviewing their approach Some launched several new car lines offering a solution for every budget But what of the higher orderThe Bentayga is the latest Bentley Its name comes from a rock mountain in the Grand Canary but therersquos also an element of the Taiga region or so some say It still has a brilliant mdash and allnew mdash W12 TSI heart It still has an eightspeed automatic transmission with allwheel drive It is still extremely refined and provides a cosseting ride But more importantly itrsquos higher off the ground and has a new body styleThe front end is familiar mdash deviating from the EXP 9 F Concept shown some time ago mdash because itrsquos akin to the Continentalrsquos A large front grille with the added ride height gives it a dominant stance The big change though is the way the lines flow out of the doors The roofline continues and ends in a boxier rear silhouette with higher haunches Larger 21inch wheels can be specified wrapped in Pirellirsquos finest The car was equipped with numerous options and the carbonfibre exterior trim was among the most prominent The front splitter Bshaped louvres below the shoulder the sidesteps the rear diffuser even the rear spoiler surround are made from carbonfibreWith a great level of personalisation the driver isnrsquot spoilt for choiceA choice of specification is available of course each tailoring the car to focus a bit more on a specific application city touring or allterrain Features can be individually combined as well to suit any need Of course they come at a price The starting price of the Bentayga W12 TSI being imported as a completely builtup unit CBU is Rs 385 crore exshowroom but the car we drove had options costing an additional Rs 1 crore and commanded an onroad price of R55 crore That seems like a lot And it is But what do you truly get for that princely sumPlush back seat and excellent sound deadening offer incredible comfortRefinement in the Bentayga matches the best that have rolled out of Crewe The interior this car was equipped with was the fourseat comfort spec with rear centre console split upholstery in Magnolia and Tan Burr Walnut wood trim and sheepwool carpet mats among other specifically chosen elements Needless to say the cabin isolates you into a world of your ownThe headlamp is a new twist on an old formula PICSAditya DhiwarWe sink into the supple hide and adjust the multiway seat with the wingedB greeting me in the information display The Start button is positioned in the centre and brings the turbocharged W12 to life with a growl Select lsquoDrsquo on the rounded gearlever and lift off the brake The 2422kg Bentayga rolls forward with the sort of determination only a turbotwelve can inspireThe acceleration whether from standstill or on the move is absolutely effortless courtesy the 900 Nm of torque peaking from 1350 RPM and staying strong till 4500 Be gentle on the pedal and it wafts Step on it though and it lunges forward with an urgency that takes the grey matter some time to come to terms with Claimed performance figures are 0 to 100 kmh in 41 seconds and a top speed of 301 kmh Hard to dispute reallyThe ride quality is phenomenal The Bentley Dynamic Ride air suspension setup soaks up every bump and muffles every hint of movement when yoursquore not actively being aggressive Yet step up the quick quotient and it adapts to stay sharp focused and sure of its line Turning is easy with the variableratio electric power steering and it begins to shrink around you a good thing when you have to deal with narrow twolane roads and traffic Worse roads can let the evidence of a thud through but thatrsquos only when driving in a more attacking manner There is surely more than a hint of sport when playing with the Drive Dynamics and it can play both contrasting roles well Not surprising considering that is what it was created to doThe Bentayga doesnrsquot really have a contender to go up against The closest choice is a fullyequipped Range Rover SVR but it must be said that the SVR is an offroader that delivers commendable portions of luxury with the Bentayga itrsquos the other way round Bentley has added an SUV to its lineup and itrsquos very capable A shift of the right sort and at the right time Yes Now will it deliver the other numbersThe automotive world has of late seen more takers for SUVs of all kinds Not surprisingly leading car manufacturers also began reviewing their approach Some launched several new car lines offering a solution for every budget But what of the higher orderThe Bentayga is the latest Bentley Its name comes from a rock mountain in the Grand Canary but therersquos also an element of the Taiga region or so some say It still has a brilliant mdash and allnew mdash W12 TSI heart It still has an eightspeed automatic transmission with allwheel drive It is still extremely refined and provides a cosseting ride But more importantly itrsquos higher off the ground and has a new body styleThe front end is familiar mdash deviating from the EXP 9 F Concept shown some time ago mdash because itrsquos akin to the Continentalrsquos A large front grille with the added ride height gives it a dominant stance The big change though is the way the lines flow out of the doors The roofline continues and ends in a boxier rear silhouette with higher haunches Larger 21inch wheels can be specified wrapped in Pirellirsquos finest The car was equipped with numerous options and the carbonfibre exterior trim was among the most prominent The front splitter Bshaped louvres below the shoulder the sidesteps the rear diffuser even the rear spoiler surround are made from carbonfibreA choice of specification is available of course each tailoring the car to focus a bit more on a specific application city touring or allterrain Features can be individually combined as well to suit any need Of course they come at a price The starting price of the Bentayga W12 TSI being imported as a completely builtup unit CBU is Rs 385 crore exshowroom but the car we drove had options costing an additional Rs 1 crore and commanded an onroad price of R55 crore That seems like a lot And it is But what do you truly get for that princely sumRefinement in the Bentayga matches the best that have rolled out of Crewe The interior this car was equipped with was the fourseat comfort spec with rear centre console split upholstery in Magnolia and Tan Burr Walnut wood trim and sheepwool carpet mats among other specifically chosen elements Needless to say the cabin isolates you into a world of your ownWe sink into the supple hide and adjust the multiway seat with the wingedB greeting me in the information display The Start button is positioned in the centre and brings the turbocharged W12 to life with a growl Select lsquoDrsquo on the rounded gearlever and lift off the brake The 2422kg Bentayga rolls forward with the sort of determination only a turbotwelve can inspireThe acceleration whether from standstill or on the move is absolutely effortless courtesy the 900 Nm of torque peaking from 1350 RPM and staying strong till 4500 Be gentle on the pedal and it wafts Step on it though and it lunges forward with an urgency that takes the grey matter some time to come to terms with Claimed performance figures are 0 to 100 kmh in 41 seconds and a top speed of 301 kmh Hard to dispute reallyThe ride quality is phenomenal The Bentley Dynamic Ride air suspension setup soaks up every bump and muffles every hint of movement when yoursquore not actively being aggressive Yet step up the quick quotient and it adapts to stay sharp focused and sure of its line Turning is easy with the variableratio electric power steering and it begins to shrink around you a good thing when you have to deal with narrow twolane roads and traffic Worse roads can let the evidence of a thud through but thatrsquos only when driving in a more attacking manner There is surely more than a hint of sport when playing with the Drive Dynamics and it can play both contrasting roles well Not surprising considering that is what it was created to doThe Bentayga doesnrsquot really have a contender to go up against The closest choice is a fullyequipped Range Rover SVR but it must be said that the SVR is an offroader that delivers commendable portions of luxury with the Bentayga itrsquos the other way round Bentley has added an SUV to its lineup and itrsquos very capable A shift of the right sort and at the right time Yes Now will it deliver the other numbersNeed to knowBentley Bentayga W12 TSIEngine 5950 cc W12 twinturbo DI petrolMax Power 608 PS at 5000 6000 RPMMaxTorque 900 Nm at 1350 4500 RPMTransmission Eightspeed automatic allwheel driveKerb Weight 2422 kgPrice Rs 385 crore onwards exshowroom